A visit with her birth mom

We invited Zoe’s birth mom to come for a visit over the past few days.  We were so happy to see her, especially since the last time we saw her was September! 

We met her at the airport, and someone was super excited to greet her…

We had talked with Zoe about what she wanted to do with Z while she was here visiting us.  Her answers weren’t a shock to us:  play and eat ice cream.  I like the way she thinks!  We made sure that the trip included both.  We got caught up a bit the first day and visited.  Zoe probably could have used a nap because she got a bit tired/cranky in the afternoon, but she felt better after getting some rest that night.  We did get to talk about family, school, and how Zoe looks more like she’s in kindergarten and not a 3 year old! 

We met up the next day, and Z and her boyfriend got to see Zoe dance at her tap dance class.  She did a really great job!  (Only one more to go, too…I think we’ll be signing her up again.)  We met up with my parents and sister for lunch and then headed to a place called the Robot Garage.  Zoe loves it there – lots of Legos, Duplos, and other building toys for kids (and adults…we all played with them!)

We spent the next day at a local park and playground.  We had dinner together, and Zoe was thrilled to have a sleepover party with her birth mom.  She had it all planned out!  They painted little birdhouses for each other, ate ice cream (of course!), and watched her birth mom’s favorite cartoon movie. 

Zoe let Z sleep in her bed, and Zoe slept on her little mattress next to her.  She and Z listened to the story book that Z had recorded for her.

Z said Zoe was a chatterbox at bedtime.  She would think she was drifting off, and she would ask her a question.  And another.  And another.

We spent one day at a pool and indoor water park.  I know Zoe loved doing that, and  Z got to spend a lot of time with her there as she splashed around and tried to get everybody else wet, too.  We had fun outside with Zoe’s bike (which she really just started riding for the first time during this visit – Go Zoe!) and drawing with chalk on our driveway.

   

(please ignore the cracks in the driveway and the weeds…)

The last day of Z’s trip happened to fall on Zoe’s Adoption Day.  We felt pretty lucky to spend it with Zoe’s birth mom.  We took a trip to a local pottery studio where she and Z painted a little Hello Kitty figure and a Hello Kitty box.  I painted a little bowl.  Zoe had a very green kitty as you can see from the picture below. 

Every Adoption Day, we plan to do a couple things – let her pick out what we do for the day and to add a little charm to a bracelet for Zoe.  Her first year we bought the bracelet and the “Z” charm.  The 2nd year was the heart charm.  Last year Zoe chose the camera charm because I would take pictures of her and she would take pictures of me with her little pretend camera.  And this year she chose…drumroll please…an ice cream charm!  I know, you’re shocked, aren’t you?

The visit ended with a fun lunch at a Mexican restaurant, a trip to the bookstore, a piggy back ride, and lots of hugs and kisses at the airport.  We’re so glad we had this time with her.  She’s planning a move back to our state when she’s done with school, and we’re so happy – for her and for us.  We wish her all the best in everything she does, and we’re so proud of her.  I am so glad that we have an open adoption with Z.  <3